Shadow of the Law (1930)

This packs quite a lot into an hour or so, with William Powell doing just about enough to keep it afloat. He is the wealthy "Nelson/Montgomery" who in concluding a rather promising first date before an unfortunate encounter with a stranger (to him, anyway) who ends up splatted all over the pavement several stories below. Now he's in handcuffs and the only witness to the whole affair - indeed, the entire cause of the affair, has done a bunk. After three years incarcerated, he becomes a trusty - the warden wants him to do some snitching for him, but he manages to escape. Starting from scratch, with an whole new identity, he becomes successful but never lets up with his search for "Ethel" (Natalie Moorhead) whom he hopes has some answers. This isn't the usual predictable lunchtime fayre, the story has a little more depth to it and Moorhead is actually quite efficient as the rather odious creature whom he learns can not, should not, be trusted. Can he clear his name? Well it's not that unpredictable, but there are still enough sub-plots and characters to keep it interesting and it's well enough paced to rattle along episodically, but fine.